New Smoking Laws are Now in Force

Smoking is now banned within four meters of the entrance to all childcare centres, kindergartens, schools and indoor play centres. For more information visit www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms

Victoria has extended outdoor smoking bans

From 13 April 2015, smoking is banned on the grounds of, and within four metres of an entrance to, childcare centres, kindergartens and preschools, and primary and secondary schools.

Smoking is also banned within four metres of an entrance to children’s indoor play centres, public hospitals, registered community health centres and certain Victorian Government buildings. Victorian Government buildings include Government departments, courts and police stations.

These changes have been put in place to protect the community from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, further de-normalise smoking in the community, and support people who have quit or are trying to quit smoking. Second-hand tobacco smoke is particularly dangerous to children and young people because they have smaller airways and less developed immune systems compared to adults.

The new laws will apply to people who are at [insert appropriate building] and as such, visitors and staff should ensure they do not smoke in the smoke-free areas. If someone is caught smoking after 13 April within the smoke-free area, they could be issued a fine by authorised officers under the Tobacco Act 1987.

Signs will be put at the entrance of buildings to which the new bans apply.

The bans do not apply to emergency exits that are locked to entry, or to a person:

walking through the smoke-free area

driving through the smoke-free area in a car

in an area that is separated from the smoke-free area by a road

in an outdoor dining or drinking area

at a residential premises.

There is strong community support for banning smoking at public places, and we are also supportive these important laws.

We ask that you please respect the new bans and everyone’s right to a smoke-free environment. We want to make sure that people are able to come and go from our buildings without being affected by second-hand smoke.

For those who are considering quitting smoking, we suggest you contact the Quitline on 13 78 48.